The clarion. [volume] (Jackson, Miss.) 1883-1888, 1887-11-02

rniehtlest CT ali defense FOR young man
principle Nothing can take the place of
it. He may have manners that would
put to shame the gracefulness and
courtesy of Lord Chesterfield. Foreign
languages may drop from his tongue.
He NAV be able to discuss literatures, and
laws, and foreign customs. He may
WELD a pen of unequaled polish and
power. His quickness and tact may
qualify him for the highest salary of the
counting house. He may be as sharp as
Herod and as strong as Sampson, with as
fine locks as those which hung Absalom,
still he is not safe from contain
ination. The more elegant his man
uer, and the more fascinating his dress,
the more peril. Satan does not
care much for the allegiance of a
coward and illiterate being. He can
bring him into efficient service. But he
loves to storm that castle of character
which has in it the most spoils and
treasures. II was not some crazy craft
creeping along the coast with a valueless
cargo that the pirate attacked, but the
ship, full winged and tagged, plying be-
tween great ports, carrying its million OF
specie, The more your natural and
acquired accomplishments, the more
need of tine religion of Jesus. That does
not cut In upon or hack up any smooth
ness of disposition or behavior. 1t gives
symmetry. 1t arrests that in the
soul which ought to be ar
rested, and propels that which ought
to be propelled. 1t fills up the gulleys.
1t elevates and transforms. To beauty it
gives more beauty, to tact more tact, to
enthusiasm of nature more enthusiasm.
When the Holy Spirit impresses the i'm
age of God on the heart, he does not
spoil the canvas. If, in all the multi
tudes of young men upon whom religion
has acted, you could find one nature that
had been the least damaged, / would
yield this proposition. You may now
have enough strength of character to
repel the various temptations TO gross
wickedness which assail you. but l do
not know in what strait you may be
thrust at some future time. Nothing
short of the grace of the cross may then
be able to deliver you from the lions.
You are not meeker than Moses, nor
holier than David, nor more patient than
Job, and you ought not to consider your
self invulnerable. You may have some
weak point of character that you have
never discovered, and in some hour when
you are assaulted the Philistines will be
upon thee, Samson. Trust not in your
good habits, or your early training, or
your pride of character; nothing short
of the arm of almighty God will be suffi-
cient to uphold you. You look forward
to the world sometimes with a chilling
dependency. Cheer upi | will tell you
how all may make fortune. Seek first
the kingdom of God and his righteous
ness and all other things will be added
unto you know you do not want to
be mean in this matter. Give God the
freshness of your life. You viii not have
the heart to drink down the trimming
cup of life and then pour the dregs on
Gods altar. To a Saviour so infinitely
generous you have not the heart to act
like that. That is not brave, that is not
honorable, that is not manly. Your great
est want in all the world is new heart. In
Gods name 1 tell you that. And the
Blessed Spirit presses through the So
IDENTITIES and privileges of this holy hour.
Put the cup of life eternal to your thirsty
! lips. Thrust it not back. Mercy offers
it, bleeding mercy, long suffering mercy.
Reject all other friendships, be migrate
full for all other kindness, prove recreant
to all other bargains, but despise God S
love for your immortal soul-don't you
do that.
l would like to see some of you this
hour press out of the ranks of the world
and lay your conquered spirit at the feet
of Jesus. This hour is no wandering
vagabond staggering over the earth, it is
a winged messenger of the skies whisper
ing mercy to thy soul. Life is smooth
now, but after a while it may be rough,
wild and precipitate. There comes a
crisis in the history of every man. We
seldom understand that turning point
until it is far past. The road of life is
| forked and / read on two signboards:
This is the way to happiness, y This is
the way to ruin" How apt we are to
pass the forks of the road without think
ing whether it comes out at the door OF
bliss or the gates of darkness.
Many years ago l stood on the ami
versary platform with a minister OF
Christ who made this remarkable state
ment:
Thirty years ago two young men
started out in the evening to attend Park
| theatre, New York, where play was to
be acted in which the cause of religion
was to be placed n ridiculous and hyp-
ocritical light. They came to the steps.
The consciences of both smote them. One
started to go home, but returned again to
the door and yet had not courage to en-
ter and finally departed. But the
other young man entered the pit
| of the theatre. 1t was the turn
ing point in the history of those two
| young men. The man who entered was
caught in the whirl of temptation. He
sank deeper and deeper in infany. He
was lost. That other young man was
saved, and he now stands before you tc
bless God that for twenty years he has
been permitted to preach the Gospel"
Rejoice, Q young man, in thy youth,
and let thy heart cheer thee in the days
of thy youth; but know thou that for al
these things God will bring thee into
| Judgment.